Responsive feeding is crucial to the formation of life-long healthy eating behavior. Few studies have examined maternal responsive feeding in early infancy among a Chinese population. This prospective study describes maternal responsive feeding and factors associated with maternal responsive feeding, with emphasis on infant growth and maternal depressive symptoms, during the first 3 months postpartum in Taiwan. From 2015 to 2017, 438 pregnant women were recruited and followed at 1 and 3 months postpartum. Maternal responsive feeding at 3 months was measured on a 10-item 5-point Likert-type scale. Maternal depressive symptoms were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale with a cutoff score of 10. Infant growth was categorized into four groups based on weight-for-length Z scores from birth to 3 months: no change, increase but in the normal range, increase to overweight, and decrease to underweight. Multiple regression revealed that postpartum depressive symptoms, primipara, and decreased infant weight-for-length Z score were negatively associated with maternal responsive feeding, while exclusive breastfeeding and maternal age younger than 29 years were positively associated with maternal responsive feeding. Heath professionals should educate mothers on responsive feeding, with emphases on first-time and non-exclusive breastfeeding mothers, as well as those with depressive symptoms, advanced maternal age, and infants who are becoming underweight.

BackgroundAlthough maternal mental illnesses have been found to influence child health and development, little is known about the impact of maternal positive well-being on child health and development. Therefore, this longitudinal study investigated the effects of prenatal subjective well-being on birth outcomes and child development by considering the potential modifier effect of parity. MethodsPregnant women in early stages of pregnancy were recruited at five selected hospitals in Taipei, Taiwan, during their prenatal appointments since 2011. Self-reported evaluations were conducted at seven time points up to 2 years postpartum. Linear regression and generalized estimating equation models were used for examination. ResultsHigher prenatal eudaimonic well-being was associated with longer gestational length (adjusted beta [a beta] = 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.03, 0.68) and higher birth weight (a beta = 124.71, 95% CI = 35.75, 213.66). Higher positive and negative affect were associated with longer gestational length (a beta = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.06, 0.70) and smaller birth weight (a beta = -93.51, 95% CI = -178.35, -8.67), respectively. For child's outcomes, we found an association between higher prenatal eudaimonic well-being and decreased risks of suspected developmental delay, particularly for children of multiparous mothers (adjusted odds ratio = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.70). Higher levels of prenatal depression and anxiety were significantly associated with increased risks of suspected developmental delay for children of primiparous mothers. ConclusionsPositive prenatal maternal mental health may benefit birth outcomes and child development, particularly for children of multiparous mothers. Interventions for improving prenatal mental health may be beneficial for child development.

Introduction: Although mobile devices are used ubiquitously, studies on their detrimental effects on preschoolers are limited. Furthermore, no study has considered shared reading and mobile device usage simultaneously. Therefore, this study examined the effects of mobile devices and shared reading on preschoolers’ development along with the effects of maternal depression on this association. Materials and methods: Mothers of 202 children aged 2–5 years were recruited in Taiwan. Maternal self-reported questionnaires on mobile device usage, shared reading, and child’s emotional and behavioral development were collected. Multiple linear regression models were used for analyses. Results: Mothers’ higher usage time on mobile devices and an education level of college or less were significantly associated with the child’s exceeding recommended use of mobile devices. Particularly among depressed mothers, preschoolers’ exceeding recommended use of mobile devices was associated with more sleep (β = 9.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.34, 18.40) and attention (β = 7.20, 95% CI = 1.50, 12.91) problems, whereas shared reading was associated with less somatic complaints (β = −16.19, 95% CI = −32.22, −0.15) and withdrawn (β = −21.50, 95% CI = −40.52, −2.47), compared with their respective counterparts. Conclusion: Our study suggested the beneficial effects of shared reading. Moreover, we highlighted the adverse effects of preschoolers’ exceeding recommended use of mobile device on sleep and attention problems, especially for children of mothers with depression.

Background: In recent years, smart devices have become an integral part of daily life. However, longitudinal studies, particularly those regarding the relationship between toddlers’ smart device usage and behavioral outcomes, are limited. Understanding the impact of parent–child interactions on this relationship is crucial for enhancing toddlers’ developmental outcomes. Accordingly, this study examined the influence of early screen time and media content exposure on toddlers’ behaviors, as well as the positive effects of mother–child interactions on this influence. Methods: We used relevant data related to 277 children born between November 2016 and July 2020 and who were part of an ongoing prospective follow-up study conducted across five hospitals in Taipei City, Taiwan. We analyzed (1) data from maternal reports regarding children’s behavior by using the Child Behavior Checklist (for ages 1^1/2–5 years), (2) assessments of mother–child interactions by using the Brigance Parent–Child Interactions Scale, and (3) self-reported parental data covering the first 3 postpartum years. Statistical analyses involved group-based trajectory modeling and multiple linear regression. Results: A considerable increase in screen time between the ages of 1 and 3 years was associated with less favorable behavioral outcomes at age 3. These outcomes included somatic complaints [adjusted beta coefficient (aβ) = 2.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.39–3.95, p-value = 0.01], withdrawal (aβ = 2.42, 95% CI = 0.15–4.69, p-value = 0.04), and aggressive behavior (aβ = 6.53, 95% CI = 0.25–12.81, p-value = 0.04). This association was particularly evident among children with lower levels of mother–child interaction. Nevertheless, positive mother–child interactions mitigated most of the adverse effects. Additionally, increased exposure to games and cartoons was associated with poorer behavioral outcomes in all children except for those experiencing positive mother–child interactions. Conclusion: Early mother–child interactions play a crucial role in mitigating the risk of behavioral problems in toddlers who spend prolonged periods looking at screens and who are frequently exposed to game and cartoon content.

Many women quit smoking during pregnancy resume in postpartum period and difficult to prevent. No studies had focused on their psychosocial response in Taiwan. We analyzed data from a trial of Taiwan Smoker's Helpline (TSH) to determine factors associated with smoking relapse after delivery. A prospective cohort was conducted at Taipei City Hospital during Sep. 2014 and Nov. 2015 period. We collected data by self-developed questionnaire combining theory of planned behavior (TPB), Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) from 68 women immediately after delivery, 2 months later and followed up until 6 months. Multivariable logistic models for relapse of smoking at the end of 3rd month and 6th month were created. At 6th month, 42.6% participants relapsed with odds lower among first parity (OR = 0.04, 95% CI = <0.01-0.54, p = 0.015), having quitting experience in past (OR = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.01-0.84, p = 0.019) and higher perceived behavior control (PBC) (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.98-1.00, p = 0.035), but greater for those with longer smoking duration in past (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.04-1.58, p = 0.018). Protective and precipitating factors to post-partum's smoking relapse were identified in our study.